Referendum Update

The registration period for the January vote began on the 15th of November and will last for 2 weeks - probably longer since the first problems have already been reported. It seems that a big migration has started now: Southerners are coming down from Khartoum and the Arab traders in town are packing up to go to Khartoum. The general feeling is that it is not safe for either of them to be in the other's territory come January. There was a shootout in the army camp on the outskirts of Melut last Monday night, which made people very nervous. The reaction of one of our staff members was telling: she was in the market when she heard gunshots. She ran home immediately and found her five children hiding under the bed, praying. So far, however, the security situation is acceptable in Sudan with only intermittent reports of violence and we praise God for that. Things at college are going really well, and I am following my normal teaching routine and work in the library.

Armadillo Security Training

I've had a lot of fun and learned loads last week at the Armadillo Security Training arranged through Medair, our neighbour here in Melut. It was a 3-day training in which we talked about all the (in)security issues that might come up in a place like Sudan, e.g. how to behave at checkpoints with armed soldiers, when caught in gunfire or when ambushed. This became more poignant with the recent shootout in town. The pictures are from the practical sessions when we enacted security scenarios.

Home Assignment

I will be coming to England on teh 28th of January. I will spend 5 weeks in England after which I will be travelling to Germany in March to see my family and my German supporters. I very much look forward to seeing you all at home :-)!